Nursing home?? Confused

Registered User

Myself and my husband are starting the process of looking for a nursing home for MIL. she is very articulate and needs people about to socialise with. SS have said she needs a nursing home due to her diabetes and insulin and needs a mental health nurse as well. We looked at 2 nursing homes yesterday and looking at the other residents she wouldn't have anyone to socialise with. Our biggest concern is she really doesn't want to go anywhere but home but can not cope at home and will not engage with outside agencies, she's a very private, stubborn lady.

My main question is do all EMI units have mental health nurses? We are looking at nursing homes with an EMI unit.

Registered User

I've been looking for my mother in the future and have found some in our area which have three sections, one for those who are still capable, one for those who need some nursing care and one for those who have dementia which has progressed. People go into the home and can move along the 'conveyor belt' as their needs change. This sounds like the sort of thing you need - they are out there! Is there a local Age Concern group or Live at Home club where you can talk to folk who will be thinking along the same lines and may have found the very place already?

Sorry, I didn't see your final comments, and don't know the answer - I hope somebody comes along soon who does.

Registered User

Hi, the home OH was in had the same thing, as dementia progressed, they moved units within the complex. However, some people who needed a lot of help overnight were in the advanced dementia unit, but went upstairs to socialise during the day.

I don't know, but think that emi units have to have a nurse on at all times.

Registered User

I could well be wrong, but I was under the impression that in most care homes with a nursing facility, whether EMI or not, the nurse would usually be a 'standard' one, not particularly a mental health nurse.

I'd have thought that mental health nurses would only be the norm in facilities catering for particularly challenging behaviour, I.e. not the usual EMI or 'ordinary' specialist dementia' unit.